Deon Woolfolk Boe, a resident of Darien, CT, passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 in Norwalk, CT.  Born on December 11, 1930 in Cincinnati, OH, she was the daughter of the late Richard H. and Helen (Hughes) Woolfolk.  She was 85.

Deon was a graduate of Barnard College and Parsons School of Design where she received the Golden Thimble and was a top student.  Deon had an extraordinary career in fashion design from the 1950’s to the 1990’s while being a devoted mother to five children.  She was founder of Boe Jests, Inc. in New York, NY, a women’s classic sportswear manufacturer.  She invented the “wrap around” skirt, launched Sea Weeds, a swimsuit line and Sally Forth, a children’s clothing line in the 1960’s.  She was head of design for Point of View in Stamford, CT, a women’s classic sportswear manufacturer.  She was a designer for Tanner, Inc. in New York, NY, a women’s sportswear manufacturer.

Deon was chairman of the Darien Art Show and volunteered her many creative and culinary talents for fundraising for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Low Heywood School.  She was also a member of Wee Burn County Club.  She was highly creative, a gourmet cook, was known for her quick wit, strong intellect and had a wellspring of creativity and wisdom.

She is survived by her four children, Susan “Tinker” Boe of New York, NY; Roy “Sam” Boe, Jr. and his wife, Karol, of Bedford, NY; Amanda Boe Faulkner of Rowayton, CT and Todd Erling Boe of Darien; and six grandchildren, Tyler Boe Drexler and her husband, Eric; Bradford Faulkner; Matthew Faulkner; Caroline Faulkner; Lillian Boe and Andrew Boe.    She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Janet Marie Boe of New York, NY.  She was predeceased by her former husband, Roy L. M. Boe and a daughter, Jeremy Clark Boe.

A Memorial Service was held at the Rowayton United Methodist Church, 5 Pennoyer Street, Rowayton on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 11:30 AM with Rev. Karen Eiler.  Interment will be private.
— by the Family

The post Obituary: Deon Woolfolk Boe — Darien fashion designer, invented the wrap-around skirt appeared first on Darien Times.

Richard Allen Wood, a third generation Darien native and husband of the late Elizabeth Ann Wood, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Stamford Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Wood was born in Stamford on September 16, 1931, the only child of Anne Peterson Wood and Stephen Louis Wood. Dick was a graduate of Darien High School, class of 1949.

He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1956 with a degree in business administration. While at UCONN, Dick was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the friendships he made during those years lasted a lifetime. Prior to his college graduation, Dick proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saipan.

Dick had a long career in commercial and residential construction with Olson-Wood Associates of Darien, working alongside his father, Stephen, for many years. Dick was a man of many talents and especially enjoyed projects around the house. He was active in various Darien civic organizations and business endeavors, including the Darien YMCA, the Darien Building Board of Appeals and Person-to-Person, a charity which provides basic goods and services to those in need.

Dick was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Ann Wood in 2011. Theirs was a wonderful love story that began when their families arranged for Dick to walk Betty Ann to school when she was just in kindergarten and he was in third grade. After some time spent living in other places, Betty Ann and Dick reconnected when they were in their teens and married in 1957. Together, Dick and Betty Ann enjoyed many years of family time spent boating, vacationing on Block Island and Sanibel Island, and caring for their many beloved pets. Their long and happy marriage was an inspiration to their children.  

Dick is survived by his son, Richard Stephen Wood and his wife Susan of Darien, daughter Cynthia Ann and her husband John Boester of West Haven, CT, and daughter Heather Elizabeth and her husband Daniel Gaccione of Groton, CT. He will be dearly missed by his four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Tyler Gaccione and Stephen and Meghan Wood.

A private interment will be held at Spring Grove Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to two local charities that were important to him: Person-to-Person (1864 Boston Post Road, Darien, 06820), or the Darien Historical Society (45 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, 06820).

The post Obituary: Richard Allen Wood — Darien High Class of ’49, Navy veteran appeared first on Darien Times.

Nancy Southard Congdon, a fiercely intelligent and delightfully progressive wife, mother, grandmother and lifelong community service devotee, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday at her home in Orlando. She was 95.

Nancy was born on February 27, 1921 in Shaker Heights, Ohio to Walter and Alice Southard. She attended Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont before earning a bachelor of arts degree and being crowned May Queen at Case Western Reserve in 1942.

She met her husband, Sidney (Sid) Bishop Congdon, at Case Western Reserve, and the couple married in November of 1942.  They later moved to New York City where Sidney began his life-long career at Bankers Trust.

As a young mother of two living in Peter Cooper Village, Mrs. Congdon penned advice to mayoral candidate, Vincent Impellitteri, whose campaign budget was insufficient to finance his bid for office. She suggested that Mr. Impellitteri ask each homemaker in New York City to donate one dollar from her household’s budget to help finance his campaign. After acting on her suggestion and winning the mayoral office, Mr. Impellitteri offered to appoint Nancy Deputy Commissioner of Hospitals. Busy with her young family, Nancy respectfully declined the offer.    

In 1952, Nancy and Sid moved their growing family to Darien, Connecticut.  Among her many community roles, Nancy served as president of the Stamford Hospital Auxiliary, chairman of the Stamford Hospital Thrift Shop and was a member of the Board of Trustees at Stamford Hospital.

In addition to raising her six children, Nancy was a frequent substitute teacher at Darien High School and also chaired the American Cancer Society’s Annual Flower Ball, which in its day, was one of the largest fundraising efforts in New England. Always finding time to help others, she was known to make meals for families that had fallen on hard times, packing the food up and delivering it with all of her small children in tow.

   When Nancy and Sid retired to Orlando, Florida, Nancy continued her community service efforts. She served for three years as the first President of the Sand Lake Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary and later became a member of the Board of Directors at Sand Lake Hospital.

A life-long golfer herself, Nancy met professional golfer Scott Hoch when he was a young athlete on the PGA tour. After Scott married his wife Sally, they had two children, and Nancy became a second grandmother to them.  Nancy was Scott’s personal secretary for the last 25 years of her life. In her spare time, Nancy enjoyed needlepoint, smocking, golf,bridge and doting on her grandchildren.

Sid predeceased Nancy in 2001. Her children Nancy C. Sherson, Sidney B. Congdon III, Ann C. Sandbom, Celia C. Montgomery, Lisa C. Avison, Christopher R. Congdon, her sister Dr. Patricia Gourlay, her 15 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild survive Nancy.

Celebrations of Nancy’s life are being planned in Orlando, Florida and in Darien, Connecticut.

Memorial contributions may be made to Orlando Health Foundation, 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd., Suite #50, Orlando, Florida 32806(www.orlandohealthfoundation.com).  

— by the Family

The post Obituary: Nancy Southard Congdon, served as Darien High School substitute appeared first on Darien Times.

Robert Perske, author and internationally acclaimed advocate for people with developmental disabilities, died on Sunday, August 14, at his home in Darien, CT. He was 88.

A recipient of many awards, including The Arc’s Lifetime Justice Advocacy Award and the only non-lawyer to ever receive the American Bar Association’s Paul Hearne Award for Services to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Bob devoted most of his life to serving as the voice for those who have no voice, especially those he believed were wrongly convicted of crimes.

He began his career as an ordained Methodist minister, serving as chaplain at Kansas Neurological Institute, a state institution for boys and girls with intellectual disabilities. In the 1970’s, he moved to Darien and began his writing career working for Random House. He authored 16 books (many illustrated by his wife, Martha) and countless articles, all calling for a fairer and richer social justice for persons with disabilities.

Leigh Ann Davis of The Arc, called Bob “a mentor for our movement and friend for our souls.” In an article for the organization’s InSight publication, she wrote: “It’s not everyday that you meet someone who changes you, someone who inspires you to become more than you thought possible, and someone who ignites inside of you a passion to step away out of your comfort zone and help someone you barely even know.”

He is survived by his wife, Martha; his son Richard Perske of Topeka Kansas; his daughter, Ann O’Connell of Omaha, Nebraska; Martha’s two sons, Marc Perske of Wilmington North Carolina, Lee Lemon of Gretna, Nebraska and their families.

Perske has donated his body to the Yale School of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to Communitas, Box 358, Manchester, CT 06040.

— by the Family

The post Obituary: Robert Perske, acclaimed disability advocate, author appeared first on Darien Times.

Cecie Munkenbeck

Cecie Munkenbeck died peacefully on Aug. 17, 2016, at Stamford Hospital at the age of 96.

She was born in New Orleans, La., and attended Noroton Convent of the Sacred Heart in Darien, Conn. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University where she also studied towards a master’s in English. She served as Queen of Proteus Ball in the 1941 Mardi Gras Carnival.

Visiting a cousin who was dating a Brigadier in Vermont, she met Alfred H. Munkenbeck, Jr. of Brooklyn, N.Y., while he was training for his role in World War II. They corresponded through the war and were married shortly after his return from Europe. She worked in New York City as a researcher for Fortune magazine while seeing her husband through law school. After a few years in Brooklyn Heights, they moved to Riverside, Conn., and raised their family there until 1960 when they were relocated to Geneva, Switzerland.

They returned to Old Greenwich in 1963, where they lived until moving to the Edgehill Community in Stamford in 2003. The couple enjoyed a second home on Sanibel Island, Fla., for 20 years. She pursued her love for the natural world and writing by publishing a whimsical children’s book of poetry featuring the native birds of Sanibel Island.

She is survived by her five children, Alfred Munkenbeck III of London, England; Peter Munkenbeck of Cambridge, Mass., Celina Munkenbeck Kersh of Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Anne Munkenbeck of Wilton, Conn.; Mary Munkenbeck Bennett of Darien; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The wake will be at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich, on Monday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 10, at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside. There will be a private interment followed by a repast. Online condolences may be made by visiting leopgallaghergreenwich.com.

The post Obituary: Cecie Munkenbeck, 96 appeared first on Darien Times.

Cynthia Eiswert McIlmurray

Cynthia Eiswert McIlmurray, who her family called a highly regarded individual known for her resilience and grace, died peacefully in her home in Darien, CT on Thursday, Aug. 18.  She was 60.

Mrs. McIlmurray was born on May 8, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois to Albert and Pauline (Szutowicz) Eiswert.  She attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology.  While at NIU she was inducted into Sigma Kappa sorority.

Upon her graduation in 1978 she joined IBM in Chicago and has remained with the company since then.  Over the years her career progressed through a series of staff and management positions at the field, region, and strategic business unit levels.  In her last role she worked in the legal department of IBM Global Finance as a subject matter expert in contracts, negotiations, and regulatory compliance directly supporting worldwide business operations.  Throughout her career she was consistently ranked as a top performer and received many awards and recognition for excellence and professionalism.  In addition to her regular duties Mrs. McIlmurray also served as a college recruiter and mentor to many of IBM’s current and future leaders.

During her first year with IBM Mrs. McIlmurray met her husband, Spencer McIlmurray, who worked in the same office at the time.  The couple married in June of 1982 and lived in Evanston, Illinois until October 1989 when they moved to Darien.  From the start of married life they enjoyed entertaining family and friends and hosted many parties and holiday celebrations at their home each year.

Mrs. McIlmurray and Spencer enjoyed world travel and were fortunate to visit a wide variety of destinations in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa.  In her spare time Mrs. McIlmurray was an avid tennis player, book reader, gardener, and pianist.  She also served as a board member and frequent volunteer in support of various programs and events held at King School and The Children’s Community in Stamford.

Mrs. McIlmurray is survived by her husband Spencer, daughter Lindsay of Darien, and sisters Annette Prendergast of Orland Park, Illinois and Tola Trendl of Lombard, Illinois.  She was predeceased by her parents and brother, Anthony Eiswert.

A celebration of life event is being planned to be held in Darien in the fall.

In honor of Mrs. McIlmurray, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorialgiving/memorial-giving).  

The post Obituary: Cynthia Eiswert McIlmurray, 60, devoted wife, mother, career IBM employee appeared first on Darien Times.

Richard (Dick, “Gamps”) Lindabury Berry died peacefully at home with his family on August 18, 2016 in Darien, Conn.  He was 91.

Dick was born on December 5, 1924 in Short Hills, NJ.  His parents were Robert Lawrence Berry, Captain USN and Naval Aide to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, and Lucy Van Saun Lindabury Berry.  His sister Lillie Berry Smith and brother Robert Lawrence Berry, Jr. predeceased him.  Lois Boots Berry, his wife of nearly 64 years, survives him.  They moved to Bump-Along Road, Darien in 1954.  Their cars featured license plates “Bumpa-1”, Bumpa-2” and “Bumpa-3”

Dick attended the Short Hills Country Day School; and graduated from the Choate School (1942) and Princeton University (class of 1946). During WWII, he served as an Ensign in the Navy as a communications/signals officer in the North Atlantic.  At the end of the war and following his graduation from Princeton, he moved to Seven Gates Farm on Martha’s Vineyard, MA to restore his grandparents’ house on Indian Hill in West Tisbury.  The Berrys’ Martha’s Vineyard roots trace to the post-Civil War period.  Dick first met his future wife, Lois, at a Seven Gates Farm clambake in 1947.

Dick’s business career spanned many years and included the American Brake Shoe Company, the American Cyanamid Company and Lillard, Berry, Bishop & Parker Management Consultants in NYC.  His true loves, apart from his family, were gardening and furniture refurbishing.  He was a member of the Darien Beautification Commission. He enjoyed wrestling his 1960s Gravely tractor through underbrush, notwithstanding a near fatal encounter with a yellow jacket hive.

Dick was very close with his immediate family: Richard Kingsley Berry and his wife Carla Clay Berry (New Rochelle, NY), and their children Matthew, Eliza and Susannah Berry; Virginia Berry Ouellet and her husband Richard P. Ouellet (Seattle, WA); and Lois Berry Meyer and her husband Jeffrey S. Meyer (Darien, CT), and their children Caroline, Allie, Mallory and Kendall Meyer.  Dick’s wife Lois, his children and grandchildren were the love of his life.

Dick was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Wee Burn Country Club and the Princeton Club of New York.

A funeral service is planned for Friday, September 9th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society, 504 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851) or Darien EMS-Post 53 (P O Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820).

The post Obituary: Richard Lindabury Berry, long-time Bump-Along Road resident, WWII veteran appeared first on Darien Times.

Marshall Floyd Kenyon (Marty), of Darien and Delray Beach, Florida passed away on Aug. 17, at the age of 83.  Mr. Kenyon was the son of the late Reverend Floyd Marshall Kenyon and the late Elizabeth Rodgers Heckert.  

He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and then proudly served in the United States Navy out of Key West, Florida. With his love of the sea, he remained an avid boater and fisherman throughout his life.

Mr. Kenyon was a dedicated officer of several yacht clubs including the acclaimed Deep Sea Club in Montauk, New York, and the Manalapan Yacht Club, Florida. He routinely cruised the waters of Long Island Sound, Florida, and the Bahamas. After his first two sons were born in Key West, Florida he and his wife who predeceased him, Mary Richards Kenyon (Lynn) raised their family on Wilson Point in Norwalk.  

Mr. Kenyon owned and operated an import business for many years, importing school supplies from the Far East. Mr. Kenyon and his first wife subsequently moved to Darien and then retired to Ocean Ridge, Florida. Mr. Kenyon is survived by his beloved wife Molly Shannon Kenyon of 27 years.  Both Mr. Kenyon and Molly lost their first spouses to cancer. He is survived by his three sons, M. Steele Kenyon, Christopher S. Kenyon, and Alexander L. Kenyon, and six grandchildren. Mr. Kenyon is also survived by Molly’s sons, Bill, Jim, & John Shannon and their six children.

A service celebrating Mr. Kenyon’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be sent to Darien EMS Post 53, Darien, CT.  The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home handled the arrangements. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

The post Obituary: Marshall Floyd Kenyon, Navy veteran, dedicated yacht officer appeared first on Darien Times.

William Alexander Ziegler

William Alexander Ziegler, 92, of Bozeman, Mont., and formerly of Darien and Wilton, Conn., died on the morning of Aug. 17, 2016 in his Bozeman home.

Bill was born in New York City on July 15, 1924, to William A. and Sally C. Ziegler and raised there until they moved to Washington, D.C. He attended the Buckley School, Saint Mark’s School, Harvard College and Harvard Law School.  

He married the former Glenn Crawley in 1950 and she predeceased him in 2013. They moved from New York City to Darien in 1957 and then to Wilton in 1994. They acquired a ranch in Bozeman in 1989 where they spent half of the year enjoying the outdoors and spectacular view of the Bridger Mountains.

Bill entered the U.S. Navy through the V-12 program while attending Harvard College and upon accelerated graduation entered WWII, serving briefly in the North Atlantic and Pacific. Upon completion of his service he attended Harvard Law School and was invited to become an associate at the New York law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. Upon making partner, Arthur Dean, senior partner at the firm, encouraged Bill to focus on labor law, a growing field due to the rapidly recovering post-war economy and increasing workplace regulations. He tried cases in every U.S. District Court and even managed a case that went to the Supreme Court.

His interests were broad. He loved music, especially opera and was enthralled with all things English, especially literature and the Canterbury Cathedral. He was a writer and especially loved poetry. He self-published his collection of poetry and another collection of short stories, memoirs and other writings.

Bill was active in numerous organizations and boards. Among them, he served on the Board of Directors of Standard Commercial Corporation, H. W. Wilson Publishing Company and Engineering Information, Inc. He was a trustee for Salisbury School and his beloved St. Mark’s School. He was on the Board of Stewards of the Ox Ridge Hunt Club, an instrumental contributor and money raiser as a board member of the Darien and Wilton Land Trusts, and a vestryman at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Norwalk, Conn. He was a Secretary of the Foreign Policy Association and a member of the Kiwanis Clubs of Bozeman and Wilton. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of NYC in recognition of his fundraising support.

Bill travelled extensively, both domestically and internationally, for business and pleasure. He visited all 50 states and on a business trip to Puerto Rico was on a plane that was hijacked to Cuba. He was a member of one of the earliest groups to visit China as a Governor of the Foreign Policy Association.  

He made friends easily and leaves behind many friends and his family who will miss his wisdom, kindness and wit. He was generous throughout life, always contributing time and money to organizations that he supported or who asked for his support.  

His four children survive Bill: Dick Ziegler of Wilton, Daryl Henning and Sue Barrows of Bozeman, and Tom Ziegler of Dorset, Vt., six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

Per his request there will be no funeral service and contributions can be made in his name to St. Mark’s School of Southborough, Mass.

The post Obituary: William Alexander Ziegler, 92 appeared first on Darien Times.

Antonio Arellano died peacefully at his home in Darien on Aug. 25 at the age of 81. He was born on Jan. 1, 1935.  After high school, Antonio attended Universidad Autónoma de Mexico where he studied architecture and engineering.

While working as an engineer, he met his wife, Patricia Rangel Arellano and built a house for their family in Mexico City on Club de Golf in Tlalpan, Mexico City.

Mr. Arellano’s business career spanned many years and, apart from his own architecture firm, included working for Banobras, Mexico’s state-owned development bank for which he managed toll roads, and Grupo Tribasa S.A., a construction company for which he oversaw the design and construction of many miles of toll roads, buildings and infrastructure concessions around the country. Antonio made a significant contribution to improving Mexico’s infrastructure. His true love, apart from his family, work and soccer, was the country of Mexico itself and its colorful population in all its facets. He was a proud Mexican who possessed a deep love for his country and its rich culture, though he was troubled by the deterioration in the country’s governance over the last decades. Mr. Arellano reluctantly left his home later in life to pursue residency in the United States.

Mr. Arellano was characterized by his artistic creativity, zest for life and deep devotion to his family. Mr. Arellano, affectionately called “Tito” by his grandchildren, prioritized spending time with his loved ones. Although Antonio enjoyed numerous successes in his life throughout his career, his truest happiness came from his simple desire to enjoy and appreciate the little things in life. Wherever Mr. Arellano was, there was sure to be laughter, adventure, passion and true appreciation for his surroundings.

Mr. Arellano enjoyed international travel and was a frequent visitor to the U.S. before he finally settled in Darien for the last few years of his life. As a young father, he traveled extensively across the U.S. West Coast with his family and encouraged his children to look beyond their home country for a better future.

Mr. Arellano is survived by his wife, Patricia of Darien and Mexico City, son Toño of Panama City, daughter Luisa Brakman-Arellano of Darien, and daughter Veronica of Vancouver. Mr. Arellano’s legacy lives on in his six grandchildren: Toño, Itziar, and Nirvana Arellano of Panama City, Bram and Anna-Luisa Arellano Brakman of Darien, and Ana Paula and Juan Pablo de Ibarrola of Vancouver.

A service celebrating Mr. Arellano’s life is to be held at a later date.
— by The Darien Times

The post Obituary: Antonio Arellano, Architect, designer and developer in Mexico appeared first on Darien Times.

Jack Wood, age 70, of Norwalk, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016.  Born in Portchester, N.Y. on March 20, 1946, he was the son of the late Jack Edward Wood Sr., and the late Lilli Schonning Wood.  A resident of Minnesota, Ohio and Maryland at different times of his life, Jack grew up in Darien and graduated from Darien High School in 1964. He then went on to graduate from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in 1968 and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve.

Jack’s professional career started in 1968 with 3M Corporation in White Plains, N.Y. where he spent the next 17 years in various senior sales capacities across the U.S..  He then went on to start his own business, J.E. Wood & Associates in 1985 where he was a manufacturer’s representative specializing in industrial products.  Jack was active throughout his life in the various communities where he lived.  He was an avid golfer and loved his time at Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk and Longshore Golf Club in Westport.  He also relished his golf trips and pool tournaments with his many close friends.

Jack’s legacy and passion, however, was his family who benefitted greatly from his wisdom, guidance and unconditional and unparalleled love.  

He is survived by his beloved son and daughter in law, Christian and Krissy Wood of Wilton and his beloved daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Tom Ryan of Westport.  He is also survived by Christian and Stephanie’s mother Nancy Senftleben of New Canaan, CT and his loving and devoted partner of many years, Peggy Watson as well as her children and grandchildren.  Jack is survived by his brother Robert and his wife Jane Wood of Wilton and his brother Timothy and his wife Robin Wood of Norwalk.  He was the proud grandfather of Jack, Ryan and Meghan Wood of Wilton and Lily, Sydney and Tatum Ryan of Westport, CT, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.  He will be sorely missed by all, including his many lifelong friends who are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 5pm to 8pm at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT.  His funeral service will follow on September 1st at Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road in Darien, CT at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to Timmer’s Way, P.O. Box 2237 Norwalk, CT 06852 or through the website at www.timmersway.com. For additional information or to share a message of condolence, visit www.lawrencefuneralhome.com.

The post Obituary: Jack Wood, 70, Darien High Class of ’64, avid golfer appeared first on Darien Times.

John Vincent Antush, a resident of New Canaan, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016 in New Canaan.  Born on November 5, 1932 in Tacoma, WA, he was the son of the late Margaret and John Antush.  He was 83.

John graduated from Stanford University with a PhD in English Literature.  From there he moved to New York and taught Modern American Drama and English at Fordham University’s Rose Hill Campus.

He was editor of Recent Puerto Rican Theater: Five Plays from New York (1991), Nuestro New York: An Anthology of Puerto Rican Plays (1995), and Simpson Street and Other Plays an anthology of plays by Edward Gallardo (1989).   

John was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.  He enjoyed tennis, swimming, the theater, and playing with his grandchildren Freddy, Jack, Frankie and Charlie.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Antush, his son John Antush and his wife Betty Yu, his daughter Kristin Calve and her husband Joe Calve, and his four grandchildren.  He is also survived by his three sisters, Mary Antush, Anna Mae Hurt and her husband Bob, and Corrine Christiansen and her husband Jim.  He was predeceased by a brother, Jerome T. Antush whose wife, Elizabeth, survives him.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Thursday, September 1st from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association – Connecticut Chapter at http://www.alz.org/ct/.  www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

The post Obituary: John Vincent Antush, father of Darien resident, English professor appeared first on Darien Times.

Long time Darien Resident Liz Conover was a formidable force in fashion for more than 50 years. She was known for her exquisite eye, her keen instincts, and her ability to forecast market trends.  She died in New York City on Monday August 29, 2016, at the age of 71, after living two years with lung cancer.

Her career combined a love for retail with a deep understanding of people.  She knew the feelings of the woman who bought a handbag – which Liz had brought to life in every aspect, from its design inspiration through production in Italy.  She felt the emotion behind a couple’s purchase of a unique hand-made set of dishes created by an artisan she had discovered in France.   Her insights, combined with sharp business acumen, resulted in remarkable financial returns for the fashion companies she ran.

Carolee Friedlander, Jewelry designer and CEO of Access Circles said of Liz: “Liz Conover was one of the most successful, compassionate and beloved leaders in the world of retail.  Her brilliance, drive and strategic wisdom allowed her to reach the highest levels of success not only in the world of retail, but also to build a new career in exclusive villa development in her beloved Riviera Maya.  She will be missed by all who knew her”

Liz Conover started her career in the ‘60s in retail at Bullock’s Department Store in California. From there she went to work for The Emporium and I. Magnin where she quickly became a senior manager of Contemporary Sportswear.  After a stellar career in retail that spanned some twenty years, Liz met Susie Tompkins, the founder of Esprit, and joined the company to design, launch and oversee the Handbag and Accessories Division.  “Esprit was fun times” said Tomkins-Buell.  “Liz was an amazing person to work with and was always in the forefront of trends”.

In 1986, Liz moved to New York to join the Ferragamo family business.  She led the Handbag and Accessories Division and launched new lines for the venerable Italian fashion company.  She worked very closely with the late-Fiamma Ferragamo in Florence, Italy, and incorporated the sense of international flair she learned there as legacy she brought to subsequent positions.  In the early 1990s, Liz took the helm of Etienne Aigner’s handbag division.  She gave new life to a faltering business by transforming the stodgy designs into modern, cutting- edge handbags that sold well and generated unparalleled profits in that division.  Soon after, Liz was hired to become CEO of Paloma Picasso’s Handbag and Accessory business world-wide.  The sense of mutual admiration between Liz and Paloma Picasso was reflected in their peerless creations.  Liz was then asked to launch the handbag division for Tommy Hilfiger where she oversaw the creation of a new line of business.

Liz spent the next five years as a consultant to designers and CEOs of small companies who were eager to streamline their businesses and gain a better understanding of the market and its fast moving millennial market trends.  In 2006, Takashimaya New York – the esteemed standard of fine taste — requested that Liz join the company as Executive Director of their US operation.  In summarizing Liz’s Takashimaya experience, an article titled “East Meets West” written in 2007, stated: “At Manhattan’s luxurious Takashimaya, Liz Conover helped take Asian-inspired elegance and simplicity to new heights”.  The article went on to say “Takashimaya New York is a boutique — a delicate and edited mix of goods, flowers, clothing, crafts and a tea room. The store exudes serenity and energy, warmth and shine, magnificence and simplicity. Like Liz, it is elegant and accessible at the same time.”

Even in the midst of her success in the fashion industry, Liz was embarking on a new career path.   In 2001, she and her husband, Architect Udi Saly, sought to introduce luxury where it barely existed, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.   Villas inspired by Liz and designed by Udi became the standard for livable luxury.  Her creations were canvases for the application of bold colors, and showcases for exquisite furnishings.  Surrounded by palm trees, glistening pools, and the Caribbean Sea, the villas became so revered on the Riviera Maya that they became the models for fifteen stunning, privately-owned Mexican retreats, built by Udi and impeccably designed by Liz, including their own aptly named villa, “Infinity.”

Labeled a “tastemaker” by the fashion trade press, Liz Conover has been quoted as a consultant in various business outlets, including Fast Company, Fortune, and Accessories Magazine.  Throughout her career she was active in charitable and industry-related organizations, and was also a founding board member of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, the Fashion Roundtable, and Fashion Group International.  A mentor since her early years in California, she found further outlet for that passion while working with the Esteem Team for Teens in NYC.

Born in California and a graduate of San Jose University.  She is survived by four siblings and her beloved husband, Udi Saly, her loving Mexican rescue street-dog Fini, and her rescue cat CatMandoo.  Liz was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2014.  She kept tending to her beloved gardens overlooking Holly Pond in Darien.  She continued to shine her light energy on her surroundings, she gave hope and support to others, she never once complained and remained always there for the new and older friendships she has had over the years.  She danced, loved every moment and spread good energy all around.  Her last words written on an iPad while unable to speak at the hospital were “OCEAN” and “GIFT”.  She asked that her ashes be scattered in the waves of the Caribbean Sea and instructed her husband to gift the staff who maintain their villa and care for their beloved animals.  Her heart then stopped at 3:40 PM that same day, on Monday the 29th of August 2016.  She will be missed, but her spirit will guide all who have known her and all who have been touched by her life.

The post Obituary: Liz Conover, 71, long-time Darien resident, formidable force in fashion appeared first on Darien Times.

Audrey I. Maihock, age 91, a resident of Stamford for 51 years, died peacefully on August 20, 2016 in Stamford. Audrey was born on October 31, 1924 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  She was the daughter of the late Raymond Giese and Elizabeth (Harbinski) Giese. In high school, Audrey earned the D.A.R. good citizen award for leadership, an early sign of her future commitment to public service. She attended the University of Wisconsin from 1942–1944. Thereafter, she moved to Chicago where she held several secretarial positions and met her future husband. In 1948 she married Donald J. Maihock. They lived in the greater Chicago area and then moved to North Stamford in 1965.

In 1977 she was elected to the Stamford Board of Representatives, representing the 19th District. She held this seat for 18 years from 1977 to 1995, retiring at the age of 70.  Audrey worked tirelessly for her constituents and enjoyed her service to the community.  She was well liked by many of her fellow representatives and respected for her preparedness at board meetings and for her hard work. Determined to complete her college degree, she returned to school at the University of Connecticut branch in Stamford, focusing her studies on government and public administration. In 1985, at the age of 60, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of General Studies.

Audrey held several positions as a legal secretary in the greater Stamford area, including the law firm of McAnerney & Millar in Darien. She also worked as a senior secretary/receptionist at Donnelley Marketing Inc. in Stamford. She received a Dun & Bradstreet Bronze Medallion award in recognition of her conscientious and diligent service to the Donnelley staff and customers.    

Audrey was an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford where she taught kindergarten Sunday school for many years and sang in the choir. She loved teaching children and treasured her years with her kindergarteners. Later, she became a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, where she and Donald enjoyed singing in the choir. Audrey also enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader, spending countless enjoyable hours at the Stamford public libraries.

Audrey is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Maihock Beloff (son-in-law, Jim Beloff), of Clinton and Suzanne Maihock Stevens of Stamford, and her grandchildren, Margaret Anne Stevens and Peter Hayes Stevens, III. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Donald, and her son-in-law, Peter Hayes Stevens, Jr.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 1 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Chapel, 1864 Post Road in Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, in light of her lifelong love of reading, memorial donations may be made to The Ferguson Library in Stamford.

www.fergusonlibrary.org

The post Obituary: Audrey I. Maihock, member of St. Luke’s Parish appeared first on Darien Times.

George “GHop” Hopkins, 78, died unexpectedly on Aug. 23 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine.

A resident of Islesboro, Maine., he formerly lived in Darien, and Manchester Center, Vermont.

Born on June 29, 1938 in New Rochelle, NY, he was the son of George F. Hopkins and Veronica Tymon Hopkins.

After graduation from Darien High School in 1956, he went on to Nasson College in Springvale, Maine, graduating in 1960.

In Darien, he was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Representative Town Committee serving on both the Planning and Zoning Committee and the Finance Committee.

Mr. Hopkins was employed by Modern Painting and Lithography and U.S. Web as a printing salesman. In 1988, he and his wife Pat moved to Islesboro where Mr. Hopkins established his own business in the printing field, “Maine Connection.” Mr. Hopkins will be remembered as a lifelong New York Giant and UConn basketball fan.

Mr. Hopkins was predeceased by his parents, George and Veronica, his brother Gary, and a grandson, Ryan.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Morgan Hopkins, sons Gregory Lee (Kathleen) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Scott Morgan of Brunswick, Maine and Mark Stephen of Portland, Oregon, and seven grandchildren, Jack, Ann, Molly, Tyler, Trevor, Chad, and Seren.

A Mass and celebration of his life will be held on October 1, 2016 at St. Mary of the Isles Catholic Church in Islesboro.

If desired, donations to honor George may be made to St. Mary of the Isles, c/o Box 1142, Islesboro, ME., 04848.

The post Obituary: George Francis Hopkins Jr., 78, Darien High Class of ’56, served on RTM appeared first on Darien Times.

Beatrice Grubbs, known as “Bippie,” died peacefully at her home in Vero Beach, Florida on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. She was 94.

Born on May 19, 1922 in Enid, Oklahoma, Bippie attended Enid schools and graduated from Swarthmore College in 1944 with a joint degree in English and Economics. Following graduation, she moved to New York City where she worked as a publicist for the American Rose Grower’s Association.

She married Okla Gatewood Grubbs (“Reddy”) in 1948, and they subsequently moved to Darien, CT, where they raised three children. Bippie was an active Darien RTM member and one of the first women to serve on the Tokeneke Association board.

Also active in golfing circles, she was a three-time winner of the women’s club championship at Wee Burn Country Club, where she and Reddy were members for more than forty years. She served as president of the United States Senior Women’s Golf Association; president of the Women’s Westchester-Fairfield Golf Association; and board member of the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association. Bippie was also an accomplished duplicate bridge player.

She moved to Vero Beach fulltime in 2011 after splitting her time between Vero Beach and Connecticut for twenty years. In Vero, she was a member of the Riomar Golf Club and the Quail Valley Golf Club.

Bippie is survived by her children Stephen Deacon Grubbs of New Canaan, CT; Nan Grubbs Satter of New Paltz, NY; Michael Gatewood Grubbs of Stilwell, KS; and by four grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date at St. Luke’s Church.

The post Obituary: Beatrice Grubbs, 94, one of first women to serve on Tokeneke board appeared first on Darien Times.

Nathaniel (Nate) Wilson, age 45, of Darien, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2016.  Born on May 7, 1971, in Santa Rosa, CA, he was the son of Cheryl San Fillipo and the late Larry Wilson.  Nathaniel graduated from Yosemite High School in 1989 and attended Menlo College.

Nathaniel’s professional career started in Los Angeles, California at 20th Century Fox.  He held several positions in advertising sales in NYC during his career.

After September 11, 2001, Nate joined the Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department and later joined the Darien Volunteer Fire Department where he served for over 11 years.

Nathaniel had many hobbies but cooking was his favorite.  He enjoyed entertaining his family and friends with his culinary skills.  He also loved to explore the city with his daughters where they would experiment with all types of cuisine.

Nathaniel is survived by his wife, Tracie Wilson and two daughters, Gabriella, age 12 and Reese, age 10.  He will be greatly missed by all including his many lifelong friends.  Please join the family in remembering Nathaniel on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT.  Funeral services and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nathaniel’s memory may be made to Darien Volunteer Fire Department, 848 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820.  For additional information or to share a message of condolence, visit www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

The post Obituary: Nathaniel (Nate) Wilson, 45, husband, father, Darien Fire Department member appeared first on Darien Times.

Sue Ann Mackay Morris died peacefully on September 14, 2016 at the Maplewood Senior Living Community in Darien, CT, ending her thirteen-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Lori) Morris of San Rafael, CA, John (Karen) Morris of Mason OH, Jennifer (Dan) Anderson of Darien, CT and ex-husband, Frederick K. Morris of Granby, CT.  Adored as grandmother by Ellen and Violet Morris; Tyler, Justin, Garrett, and Caroline Morris; and Cole, Arden and Luke Anderson.  She was loved as a devoted sister by oldest and youngest brothers Jack (June) and David (Deeg) Mackay of Simsbury, CT, and older brother Stephen (Peg) of New Hampshire.

Born on April 28, 1938 in Fort Fairfield ME to John and Christine Mackay, her family moved to Simsbury, CT when she was 11 years old. Sue graduated Simsbury High School in 1956 as Class Treasurer balancing her time between Glee Club and earning varsity letters in field hockey, basketball and cheerleading.   Sue was an active member in Simsbury’s “Abigail Phelps” chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), having traced her lineage back to Plymouth Colony Governor, William Bradford.

She attended Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston and the Hartford College for Women. She worked at G. Fox & Co. in Hartford before joining Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks where she met her husband, Frederick.   The two were married on June 18, 1960.

The couple settled in Granby, CT and fostering an ongoing love of travel and the outdoors, with annual camping trips with family and friends to North Truro on Cape Cod.  Sue and Fred welcomed their children Jeffrey in 1966, John in 1968 and Jennifer in 1972.  With the addition of a daughter, Sue and family moved back to Simsbury, where she then resided for over 40 years.

Sue was a wonderful wife and mother. She taught her children how to knit and cook and play infield — taking pride in her enthusiastic cheering at little league and soccer games.  She loved cooking and holiday gatherings.  Her annual Thanksgiving meal always included signature dishes such as homemade coffee-can bread, “Mackay fruit salad,” chocolate cream pie, and soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

An athlete for her entire life, she was an active bowler, tennis player and avid golfer, averaging over one hundred rounds per year, including one in which she shot a hole-in-one.  She was a member of the “18 Holers” at Simsbury Farms, and the Southern New England Women’s Golf Association.

Sue loved music and dancing, often impromptu and silly.  She was never without a craft project or novel, she meticulously completed and framed hundreds of unique cross-stitch and needlepoint floral designs while having read thousands of paperbacks across every genre.  She will forever be remembered for her favorite timely pleasure—a cat-nap on the open-air porch, listening to the surrounding rainstorm.

Sue spent her final thirteen years waging a losing battle against the consuming shroud of Alzheimer’s at senior living communities in Wilton, CT (The Greens at Cannondale) before becoming an inaugural resident at Maplewood in Darien, where she starred in promotional videos and choir performances.   While the disease ate away at her memory, it never stole her personality, and she will be remembered as a smiling, happy and engaging presence to all that recently knew her, especially when they realize that her clicks, taps and hums were distillations of lifelong mannerisms and prosaisms like, “Home again, home again, jiggity-jig! “

The family would like to express their gratitude to Maplewood at Darien for the love and support their mother received by asking for tax deductible donations to be made in their mother’s name to the Maplewood Senior Living HEART Foundation, Inc., 1 Gorham Island, Westport, CT 06880, attention: Kristin Hocker, Foundation Director. The Foundation, a 501 c3 non-profit organization, provides financial support to Maplewood Senior Living associates and their families facing extenuating life circumstances.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 30th at Simsbury’s First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street, at 11am.   Celebration lunch will be served at the Simsbury Inn, 397 Hopmeadow Street, immediately following the service.   
— by the Family

The post Obituary: Sue Ann Mackay Morris, wonderful wife, mother, avid athlete appeared first on Darien Times.

Peter Walter McClean, age 72, of Rowayton, CT and Edgartown, MA passed away September 19, 2016.

Born on February 11, 1944 in Rockville Center, NY. He was the son of Edith M. McClean of Rowayton, CT and the late William E. McClean. He graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1967 and Thunderbird Institute in 1969.

He began his career at American Express in Okinawa, Japan. He spent several years working for Saudi International Bank in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He then went to the Bank of Bermuda where he was the Chief Risk Management Officer. He returned to New York and became the Chief Executive Officer of Measurisk. After retiring, he served on several boards including Allianz, PennyMac and Northeast Bank.

He is survived by his wife Paula B. McClean. He was predeceased by his first wife Martha W. McClean. He also leaves behind his daughters, Hilary Latham and her husband Chris and their daughters McClean and Paget of Winnetka, IL , his daughter Meredith Fontaine and her husband Todd and their son Henry of Watertown, CT. He is also survived by his step children Kelly Petersen of Laramie, WY and Eric Nelson of Santa Fe, NM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either Trustees of the Reservation 572 Essex Street, Beverly, MA 01915, please indicate in support of Cape Pogue or New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, PO Box 9647, Santa Fe, NM 87505

The post Obituary: Peter Walter McClean, 72, Rowayton resident, successful financial executive appeared first on Darien Times.

Steven “Stavros” Konstantinis, 53, formerly of Stamford passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016. He was born in Stamford on Jan. 19, 1963 to Maria Mentavlos Konstantinis and the late Evangelos Konstantinis.

He attended boarding school at Anargyrios and Korgialenios in Spetses Greece — then later graduated from King School in Stamford. Mr. Konstantinis attended Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut. Mr. Konstantinis was a Senior Principal Service Delivery Engineer with Oracle for over 12 years.

He is survived by his loving mother Maria Mentavlos Konstantinis, his daughter Angela M. Konstantinis both of Stamford, his son Matthew S. Konstantinis of St. Petersburg, Florida, a sister Patricia K. Tsouris and her husband Lee C. of Fairfield, a brother Robert H. Konstantinis and his wife Christina C. of Darien, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Monday, Sept. 26,  at 9:20 AM for a funeral service to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford.

Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Woodland Place, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, Sept. 25,  from 2 to 6 p.m., with a Trisagion service at 5 p.m.. Donations can be sent to https://www.gofundme.com/2q4wex8. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

The post Steven “Stavros” Konstantinis, 53, Oracle engineer, brother of Darien resident appeared first on Darien Times.